Martinear’s bond revoked

Published 11:22 pm Monday, February 9, 2015

By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

Ellwood Christian Academy was aware of a pending criminal charge for Eric Dale Martinear, when he was hired as head football coach, according to the school’s attorney Patrick Arrington.

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Martinear was arrested last week by the Selma Police Department and charged with engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19 and electronic solicitation of a child, according to Lt. Curtis Muhannad.

According to the police department, Martinear was arrested in 2013 and charged with second-degree receiving stolen property, which is a felony charge.

The incident occurred at a local college where Martinear was previously employed, according to Muhannad.

Despite the pending felony charge, Martinear was hired as Ellwood’s head football coach in May 2014.

Arrington said the school performed a background check prior hiring Martinear.

The attorney said school officials did not feel he was a threat to Ellwood students due to the nature of the pending charge when he was hired.

According to Martinear, he is no longer employed by Ellwood, but Arrington said the football coach has been suspended without pay pending further investigation.

According to the Selma Police Department, Martinear was terminated from his job Jan. 22.

Martinear’s Feb. 5 arrest stemmed from a report from DHR concerning a relationship between Martinear and a 17-year-old female student at Ellwood.

The school was notified about the relationship by a parent, according to Muhannad.

Investigation into the relationship found that Martinear allegedly initiated the relationship with the student and sex acts occurred at the school and at his Selma residence, police said.

Both charges are Class B felonies. If convicted, Martinear could face up to 20 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.

Martinear remains in the Dallas County Jail under a $1 million bond, according to District Attorney Michael Jackson. His bond for the receiving stolen property case was revoked until at March 10 hearing.